Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-04-29
IMPORTANT TRIALS.
TWO cAszs OF INTEREST IN rHs
R0RrH STATE.
Attempt TO Firc Town-rhs Coal Int
rest Tried TO Hang
His Son.


RALEIGH, n. O., April 2S.--In the
Mayors Court to-day the entire day
was devoted 10 the examination OF wit
nesses in the trial of Aaron Evans, the
negro man charged with burning the
cotson.seed oil-mills here. The evil
dence Of q number of witnesses was
taken. The bulk OF the testimony was
circumstantisl. Some was not very
strong, while portions of il we're dam
aging TO the prisoner, whose conduct at
the time of the fire was shown TO be
singular. Mayor Dodd will render his
decision tomorrow morning.
The case of Baxter Gunther against
che Nc,cs and Observer, a newspaper
Of this city, for libel, which has been on
trial at Carthage, was given to the jury
at Q o'clock last night. The suit was
for $1,000 damages. The jury gave =
verdict for $3.50 in favor of Guntber
IL is reported that coal of the variety
known as camel coal has been discoy-
cred in Sampson county.
An interesting incident at the rail
way celebration of Clinton yesterday
was the presentation of testimonial
to Rev. j. l.. Stewart in recognition OF
his work in securing the building of
the road.
ATTEMPT TO FTBB AZ TOWN.
A deliberate attempt was made yes
terday to burn the town of Reidsyille,
but the fire was extinguished.
CHATHAM COUNTY COAL.
Years ago the valuable coal deposits
in Chatham county, near Lockville and
Egypt, were partially opened. For
some years little has been done with
them, but activity is at last being
shown, and the coal is being put upon
the market. 1t is probable that it will
be extensively used in the manufacture
Of Illuminating gas.
CURRENT NEWS.
Cotton is reported as coming up well
in the eastern section. The bulk of the
crop in the State is now planted. The
weather IS very favorable.
State-Auditor Roberts is reyising and
correcting his lists of pensioners, both
widows and soldiers, in the various
counties These corrected pension lists
are sent to each township in the State.
The electric light will illuminate
Fayetteville next Monday night if no
thing happens.
Major Peter NJ. Hale, one of the |
IN editors of the State, who has |
yetel. -ear been a sufferer from can
Tor over a. a. is now failing fast,
Ger OF the tongG~ his former self
and is but ghost on MOT be pro-
1t is feared that his life Ca
longed through the summer. FL
The last quarterly statement of af- !
fairs at the State experiment farm was
very satisfactory, it is said.
Next Monday is the day on which q
large number of towns will vote for
mayor, &c. None of the
contests appear to be particularly ex-
citing.
Inquiry was made the other day for
The flag borne by the North Carolina
regiment Colonel Payne's) in the war
With Mexico. The flag cannot be
found. The flagstaff was found here
in an out-of-the-way place and has been
presented to the Governor.
The Yepable Military School at Ash
yille is TO be equipped with arms, &C.,
by the State next week. There are now
even military schools in the State. The
State Agricultural and Mechanical Col
IeQe will have military department,
even though the Legislature struck that
feature out in the act establishing the
college.
Sunday Alfred Wingate, an old farm
er of Lenoir county, was drowned IN
Kennedy's mill-pond. Yesterday the
BODY was found Wingates age was
He leaves wife and
two children.
A severe storm is reported to have
swept over part of Contevea town.
ship, Lenoir county, wrecking several
houses on farms and damaging timber
At Durham last night there was a
desperate fight among the negroes in
the disreputable part of the town. One
desperate negro actually attempted to
hang his own son, but the police ar
rested the unnatural father and pre-
vented the crime.
High winds have prevailed IN this
section all day. A heavy storm swept
north of here this afternoon.